As the historic capital city of the Normandy region of northern France, the city of Rouen was one of medieval Europe’s most affluent settlements and it is also where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in the 1400s. Today, Rouen is a popular tourist destination, thanks to its rich history and the wide variety of attractions that can be found here.

The city is perhaps best known for its Notre Dame cathedral, which was often the subject of world-renowned painter Claude Monet and boasts the stunning Tour de Beurre, or ‘butter tower.’ To please the nature-loving traveler, the 18th century Jardin des Plantes de Rouen is one of the world’s most well known botanical gardens, while the Place du Vieux Marche is home to the ultra-modern church of Saint Joan of Arc, which is constructed to resemble the flames of her funeral pyre. Also of note, the Gros Horloge astronomical clock dates all the way back to the 16th century and the many museums of Rouen are sure to delight!